Is there any benefit to just swapping out the axle shafts on the d35? I don't feel i have the know how to install any kind of axle that requires any modifying, so the 8.8 and all others would be out, except maybe the super d35 but that doesn't seem to be the way to go, plus it's not cheap. How much labor would be involved to have a shop install a 8.8?

Aside from basic mechanical skills an 8.8 swap only requires some welding. The trick to making it the most inexpensive and simple is to find one, or a matching front and rear axle set with the same gears.

There's no point in just swapping out the axle shafts in the 35 unless you go to the 30 spline axle. To do this you would also need a 30 spline Detroit locker, or tru-trac, some carrier that would except the 30 spline axles. So then you have the super 35 and the cost.

Having a shop install a properly geared 8.8 is going to be significantly less than having them just install a super 35 kit. The money for the junkyard axle is beans compared to the cost of upgrading that pos axle the jeep came with.

I'll just add one thing often over looked when talking about up-grading a D35 in any, way, shape or form. The tubes are thin and weak. Prone to bending/flexing, which is another reason shafts/gears fail regardless of spline count. Something to think about.